Show ContentsBambry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Bambry

What does the name Bambry mean?

The ancestry of the name Bambry dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in Banbury, a town in the county of Oxfordshire.

Early Origins of the Bambry family

The surname Bambry was first found in Oxfordshire, at Banbury, a market town and civil parish on the River Cherwell, now in the Cherwell District. The place name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was first listed as Banesberie 1 but a Saxon chieftain is said to have built a stockade there as early as the 6th century. Literally, the place name means "stronghold of a man called Ban(n)a," from the Old English personal name + "burh." 2 Banbury Castle was built in 1135 by Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln, in a motte and bailey design. King Stephen claimed the castle in 1139 but later that year he returned it to the bishop. Archeological digs in the 1970s confirmed that it was rebuilt between 1225 and 1250. In 1648, it was demolished and stones from the castle were later used to build houses in the town.

Early History of the Bambry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bambry research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bambry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bambry Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Bambry have been found, including Banbury, Bandbury, Bandebury, Bandury, Bambury, Bamberry and many more.

Early Notables of the Bambry family

More information is included under the topic Early Bambry Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bambry family to Ireland

Some of the Bambry family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bambry family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Bambry, or a variant listed above: Ann Banbury who settled in Baltimore in 1790; Jane Banbury settled in Pennsylvania in 1685; William BamBerry who settled in Philadelphia in 1836. In Newfoundland, one of the family was a Captain in the seal fishery in 1833.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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